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This week, my Assembly colleagues
and I and officially began the 2019-20 legislative session. We
took the oath of office in a ceremony presided over by Justice Annette
Ziegler at the State Capitol, and we signed the same Assembly oath of
office book that has been signed by Wisconsin state representatives
since the 1870s. I am humbled and honored to have been entrusted
with the duty of representing you!
The first piece of legislation has
already been introduced for consideration, too, and it's an important
one.
Assembly Bill 1 would protect those with preexisting conditions by
guaranteeing coverage of health insurance. Specifically, this bill
would ensure that, no matter what happens in the future to federal
health care laws, insurance companies in Wisconsin can't (1) deny
someone coverage based on a preexisting health condition or (2) refuse
to cover services that people need to treat such a condition or (3)
charge higher premiums based on a person's health status. I am a
coauthor of this bill; I voted specifically in favor of these ideas in
the past; and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the
Legislature to enact this bill.
As always, I encourage you to follow
my updates on
social media or contact
my office directly with your questions. Best wishes on your
weekend!
Seeking Common Ground
The Wisconsin State Assembly has a strong history
of bipartisanship. You might not know it from the headlines, but in
the last legislative session, 90 percent of bills passed out of our chamber
received bipartisan support. In an effort to start this new session
off on the right foot, my Republican colleagues and I reached out with a
letter this week to Governor Tony Evers naming nearly a dozen issues
where we think we can find common ground right away with his administration
for the people of Wisconsin. I encourage you to click here for my
full statement about our communication with Governor Evers.
Reducing the income tax, protecting those with
pre-existing conditions and attracting qualified employees to the state are
just three of the many issues that I hope to work on with the new
administration. I believe there is plenty of room to reach across the
aisle and make sure that we continue to build on the achievements of the
past eight years under Republican leadership.
Your Government Working for You
Check your eligibility for energy assistance as the
temperature continues to dip around the state. The Wisconsin Home
Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for low-income
households in reducing their energy burden (including help paying your
bills, help with emergencies such as replacing a broken furnace, and more).
You might be surprised at what you may qualify for! Customers can
learn more about energy assistance at
www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov or
by calling 866-HEAT-WIS (866-432-8947).
If you need to get out of the house, check out the many
events happening throughout the state in our wonderful state parks. A
bald eagle
watching event kicks off in Sauk Prairie on January 18-19 with other
events throughout the state from the Fox Valley (January 26th) to
Ferryville, WI (March 2nd). Additionally, the State Park System has
more than 30
candlelight hiking and skiing events scheduled for this winter at
Wisconsin state park, forest, recreation and trail properties.
Applications are now being accepted from those interested
in becoming the next Alice in Dairyland! Alice in Dairyland travels
throughout the state and educates Wisconsin children and adults about the
value, economic impact and future of the state’s $88 billion agricultural
industry. This is a full-time paid position; the application period
will be open through Thursday, Feb. 4, 2019; application materials are
available
online.
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